Protected Deposits with TDS

As a tenant, you might be wondering how TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) helps protect your deposit.

When you pay a deposit to your landlord, they are legally required to protect it in a government-approved scheme like TDS. This ensures your money is safe and that you’ll receive it back at the end of your tenancy, as long as you’ve met the terms of your agreement.

Since April 6, 2007, landlords in the UK have been required to protect tenants’ deposits in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme for assured shorthold tenancies. The deposit, usually equivalent to 5 weeks' rent, serves as a safeguard for both parties, ensuring financial protection for landlords and maintaining accountability for tenants.

At Bee City Living, the TDP scheme we use to protect our tenants' deposits is with TDS, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. TDS is a government-approved, not-for-profit scheme operated by The Dispute Service Ltd., which ensures your deposit is protected.

Once you’ve entered into a Tenancy Agreement, Bee City Living will register your deposit with TDS, and you’ll receive an automated email from TDS confirming your deposit is protected. You will also receive a copy of the Deposit Protection Certificate, as well as a link to activate your account.

In addition, we’ll email you a copy of the Deposit Protection Certificate, a Prescribed Information document, and the TDS Scheme leaflet for safekeeping.

TDS uses a lead tenant model, meaning one tenant raises or responds to TDS Custodial Repayment Requests or deals with the administration relating to a dispute. Bee City Living will decide who is the Lead Tenant when registering the deposit, but if you believe there to be an error in which tenant is instated to be the Lead Tenant, please contact us via Hello@beecityliving.co.uk directly to discuss this.

If there’s any dispute over the move-out assessment or deductions from your deposit, TDS offers a dispute resolution service. This independent service helps mediate between tenants and landlords to come to a fair resolution. If you disagree with proposed deductions, you can initiate this process by providing supporting evidence, and a decision will be made based on the facts.

We are committed to being fair and transparent. If you believe any charges are unjustified or would like to discuss them further, we’re more than happy to facilitate a conversation between you, your fellow tenants, and the landlord.